Roman Station Church: [XXI], Basilica di Santa Pudenziana
16 Video Views·May 21, 2023
The basilica of Santa Pudenziana is a 4th-century church of Rome, dedicated to Saint Pudentiana, sister of Saint Praxedis and daughter of Saint Pudens. It has been suggested that there was no such person as Pudentiana, the name having originated as an adjective used to describe the house of Pudens, Domus Pudentiana.
The church of Santa Pudenziana is recognized as the oldest place of Christian worship in Rome. It was built over a 2nd-century house, probably during the pontificate of Pius I in 140–155 AD, and re-uses part of a bath facility still visible in the structure of the apse. This church was the residence of the Pope until, in 313, Emperor Constantine I offered the Lateran Palace in its stead. In the 4th century, during the pontificate of Pope Siricius, the building was transformed into a three-naved church.
Welcome back to Cruc Stazionalis. Today we head to the Roman station church of Santa Pudenziana.
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Santa Pudenziana is a Roman basilica built in the fourth
century and dedicated to Saint Pudenziana, sister of Praxedes and daughter of Pudenz,
mentioned by Paul the Apostle in 2 Timothy 4.21. The basilica of Santa Pudenziana is recognized
as the oldest place of Christian worship in Rome. It was erected over a second century house,
probably during the pontificate of Pius I between the years 140 and 155,
reusing part of a Roman bath facility still visible in the structure of the apse.
The structure was the residence of the pope until, in 313, Emperor Constantine I
offered the Lateran palace in its stead. In the fourth century, during the pontificate of
the building was transformed into a basilica. In the Acts of the Synod of 499, the building bore
the titulus pudentis, indicating that the administration of the sacraments was permitted
there. The mosaic in the apse is from around the end of the fourth century. It is regarded
by different groups of scholars as dating to either the pontificate of Pope Siricius
at the end of the fourth century or of Innocent I just at the beginning of the fifth century,
and was heavily restored in the 16th century. It is among the oldest Christian mosaics in Rome,
and one of the most striking mosaics outside of Ravenna. The mosaic is remarkable for its
iconography. Christ is represented as a human figure rather than as a symbol, such as the lamb
or the good shepherd, as he was in very early Christian images. Christ is regal, sitting on a
jewel-encrested throne, wearing a golden toga with a purple trim, and the apostles beside him are in
senatorial garb. Christ poses as a classical Roman teacher with his right hand extended,
holding a text that says, Dominus conservator ecclesi pudensiane, the Lord is the preserver
of the church of pudensiane. Two female figures representing church and synagogue hold a wreath
above the head of Peter and Paul. Above them the roofs and domes of heavenly Jerusalem are depicted.
Above Christ stands a large jewel-encrested cross on a hill, Golgotha, as a sign of the
triumph of Christ amidst the Christian symbols of the four evangelists. If you recall from our
video at Santa Sabina, the first depiction of the crucifixion in Christian art was there,
on the door of the basilica. Rather, what was more common was the jewel-encrusted cross,
emphasizing the glory of the paschal mystery, of the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ.
The house of pudens is where Peter would have lived. This Peter chapel on the left side of the
apse contains a part of the table at which Peter the apostle would have celebrated mass.
The rest of this altar is embedded in the papal altar of Saint John Lateran.
The sculpture depicts Christ delivering the keys of heaven to Saint Peter. In the same chapel,
there are two bronze slabs in the wall, explaining that here Peter was given hospitality,
and that Peter offered, for the first time in Rome, bread and wine as a consecration of the
Eucharist. The pavement is ancient, and a door opens into a garden with a small chapel
that contains frescoes from the 11th century. The two sisters, Saint Pudenziana and Santa Presede,
were known for their piety in caring for the relics of the early Christian martyrs.
The well of the house of pudens is said to contain the relics of 3,000 early martyrs,
many of which were brought here and hidden by Pudenziana and Presede. Since the liturgical
reforms following Vatican II, Saints Pudenziana and her sister Presede were removed from the
general Roman calendar. But we mustn't forget their piety to Saint Peter, the first pope,
and the great solicitude they had for the testimony and blood of the martyrs.
Thank you for joining us today at Santa Pudenziana.
I'll see you tomorrow on our Roman Station Church itinerary.